Tamu - Miri

I was on an outstation assignment last week in Miri, Sarawak. I did not have a stable internet connection, thus, no blog updates.

Anyway, i managed to squeeze some time in between work to explore the local 'tamu', simply means market. The term is used widely in Sabah and Sarawak. It is a place where locals sell their produce and local-made items. Whenever im travelling, i always try to ensure that i make a visit the local market place because it is one place where you can sample the local atmosphere all at once. You may not find anything fancy there but some times, the simplest of thing to the locals can be the most fascinating finding for an outsider.

Sarawak pineapple. Juicy, succulent and one of Sarawak's famous icon. RM2.50 sebijik, bukan sekilo, okay?

Various types of high land rice. They are organically grown, short to middle sized grains and high in nutritional value. The most sought after is the Bario rice (the dark colour ones). Once cooked, the texture is a bit starchy. People say its good for kids growing up. Having said that, honestly, I dont quite enjoy the taste. I prefer the long grain and less starchy rice.

This is unique to Sarawak only. The fruit is called Dabai. Normally, it is boiled until the flesh is soft and eaten with salt n belacan. Kira, cam mempelam cicah gram kot. I tried the fresh one and taste very bitter.

I forgot what this one is called but the brownish thing is pounded tree bark and the black thing is ermm... tak ingat larr. The tree bark produced one kind of smell that is said to be a mosquito repellant.

Colourful local craft. Lotsa them.

This is definitely the discovery of the visit. A weird durian specie also known as 'Okak' It has a slighty long thorn, small sized and not cultivated in farms, only found in the wild. They say it has no commercial value due to its creamy but bland taste. Holding one in my hand, i didn't smell the usual strong durian smell.

Look how small it was. This is the medium sized Okak.

The flesh is a very strong yellow colour and the nut is oakey brown. Very vibrant contrast yellow, brown, white and green. I had one fruit and that's it. Tak sedap langsung.